POSSIBLE APPROACH BY PRESIDENT AZIZ TO CAPTAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000676 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2014 TAGS: PREL GV MR SUBJECT: POSSIBLE APPROACH BY PRESIDENT AZIZ TO CAPTAIN MOUSSA DADIS CAMARA Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In a call on President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on October 21, Ambassador Boulware explained that the U.S. was extremely preoccupied with the situation in Guinea. He noted that during recent consultations in Washington he had been asked to explore with Aziz the possibility of his approaching Captain Moussa Dadis Camara to press for a resolution of the crisis. Ambassador said that Camara,s frequent comparison of events in Guinea to those in Mauritanian, however flawed that analysis, made us wonder if Aziz might not be able to exercise helpful influence. ¶2. (C) Complaining that he was wronged by these comparisons, not least because &he had never killed a fly and always respected human rights8 Aziz agreed that Captain Camara had lost all viability as a leader and that he had to go. Although denying any special relationship or influence, he said that &if the United States asks me to do this I will go to Guinea.8 Aziz went on to say that he would only ask that we provide political cover by contacting &President Compaore, ECOWAS and the French8 to explain that he was acting at our request. (Note: Mauritania was a member of ECOWAS until its withdrawal in 1999 and resumed an affiliated role in 2007.) Ambassador agreed that his request was a reasonable one and promised to convey it immediately to the Department and to inform him of the outcome. ¶3. (C) Comment: Ambassador was pleasantly surprised by President Aziz, strong condemnation of events in Guinea and his seeming eagerness to be helpful. Given Aziz, personal history, he might well be able to influence Captain Camara. If the Department decides to pursue this initiative, we do recommend accommodating his request to contact Burkina Faso, ECOWAS and France. ¶4. (U) Minimize Conakry considered. BOULWARE